Containment band

ABSTRACT

Wearable containment band, comprising a pair of strips ( 2, 3 ) having front portions ( 4, 5 ) mutually crossing at a front crossing area ( 6 ) arranged, in use, at the belly of a wearer and adapted to be worn at the front part of the chest, each of the front portions ( 4, 5 ) comprising a first section ( 7, 8 ) and a second section ( 9, 10 ) adapted to be wrapped opposite with respect to the sagittal plane (X) of the wearer and being continuous with respective upper portions ( 11, 12 ) and respective rear portions ( 13, 14 ) adapted to be joined together at a rear joining zone ( 15 ) arranged, in use, at the back of the wearer and each having one end fixed to the first section ( 7, 8 ) of the front portion ( 4, 5 ) of the other of the strips ( 2, 3 ).

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention has application in the clothing field and itsobject is a containment band intended to be worn by a person underneathnormal clothes in order to support and model one or more parts of thebody, such as the gluteus, breast and hips.

State of the Art

Different types of containment clothes are known. These are adapted tobe worn underneath normal clothes so as to support and model one or moreparts of the body and eliminate one or more imperfections.

Typical clothes include containment leotards and shorts, sheath dresses,wrapping bands, push-up bras and the like, i.e. clothes that areelasticized and suitably shaped for wrapping around and compressingspecific parts of the body so as to obtain a ‘thinning’ effect and/or aneffect of lifting up parts of the body such as the gluteus and breast.The main drawback of these known containment clothes is represented bythe fact that they are structured for wrapping around and compressingone or more parts of the body in an undifferentiated and non-localizedmanner, so as to also act on parts of the body that do not require this.

The effect attained is therefore that of crushing and flattening, withconsequent unnatural appearance of the body once clothes are put on.

In addition, always due to the aforesaid characteristics, suchcontainment clothes are hard to wear and become uncomfortable to wearafter a brief time period.

In the case of containment clothes such as pants or leotard withlegging, there is also a tendency for the fabric to roll up, whichcreates further discomfort and unaesthetic areas. Not least, the knowncontainment clothes—always due to the fact that they wrap around most ofthe body or of the zone where they are intended—are often visible,especially if not sufficiently covering clothes are worn.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-indicateddrawbacks by attaining a wearable containment band which is particularlyefficient, versatile and relatively inexpensive.

One particular object is to attain a wearable containment band that haslocalized action for obtaining an effect of lifting and modeling ofspecific parts of the body, avoiding compression of zones that are notof interest.

Still another particular object is to attain a wearable containment bandthat can be worn even for long time periods, without beinguncomfortable.

Still another particular object is to attain a wearable containment bandthat has reduced invasiveness, so that it can also be worn underneathany clothing article without the band being visible or producingunaesthetic areas.

Still another particular object is to attain a wearable containment bandthat prevents the fabric rolling up effect, so as to further increasethe comfort thereof.

Still another particular object is to attain a wearable containment bandthat also has a posture correction effect.

Such objects, as well as others which will be clearer hereinbelow, areattained by a wearable containment band which, in accordance with claim1, comprises a pair of strips having front portions mutually crossing ata front crossing area arranged, in use, at the belly of a wearer andadapted to be worn at the front part of the chest. Each of the frontportions comprises a first section and a second section adapted to bewrapped opposite with respect to the sagittal plane of the wearer andbeing continuous with respective upper portions and respective rearportions adapted to be joined together at a rear joining zone arranged,in use, at the back of the wearer and each having one end fixed to thefirst section of the front portion of the other strip.

In this manner, the band is versatile in use and can be advantageouslyworn at the breasts, or gluteus, or both, in the modes that will bebetter described in the embodiment variants of the aforesaid band.

The band will support, in a localized manner, only the zones actuallydesired in the modeling of the body, such as hips and/or breast, withoutcompressing the other parts of the body in order to be extremelycomfortable and easy to wear and at the same time being able—dependingon the needs—to also simultaneously obtain an effect of support andlifting of the breasts, making the hips more slender and modeling of thewaist, with an overall harmonious and natural effect.

For example, the passage of the strips at the armpit will also allowcorrect these zones of the body, which are usually not in shape andhence sagging.

Advantageously, moreover, a cross/intersection at the back and thetraction effect generated thereby will produce a corrective effect forthe posture.

Each of said strips will preferably comprise a lower section adapted towrap and support one of the gluteus at the opposite position to thecorresponding scapular portion with respect to the sagittal plane of thewearer, so as to obtain an effect of lifting or push-up of the gluteuswithout compressing the same and obtain an unaesthetic crushing effect.Advantageously, said lower lengths can be mutually joined at an inguinalsection common for said strips and adapted to be positioned on the bellyof the wearer in a substantially vertical and symmetrical position withrespect to the sagittal plane.

This further characteristic will increase the comfort of the band andsimultaneously will increase the belly containment effect.

The inguinal section can be fixed by means of seams to one or both saidfront portions of said strips at said front crossing area, i.e. by meansof quick coupling/release means adapted to allow putting the band on ina quicker and easier manner.

Preferably, the front portion of one of said strips can be fixed to thefront portion of the other of said strips by means of a pair of seams atthe front crossing area.

In this manner, one will ensure a high seal of the strips and lack ofelastic yield, so as to ensure the lifting effect.

Advantageously, one or both strips can have adjustable length,preferably at the respective scapular portions, in order to be adaptedto the anatomy of the wearer.

Furthermore, said strips can each comprise a slat, preferably made ofsoft polymer material, such as a silicone rubber or the like, which isat least partially extended along the respective edges and having theobject of preventing the rolling up of the edges themselves, which wouldgive rise to unaesthetic areas and would render the band uncomfortableto wear.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordancewith the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be moreevident in light of the detailed description of a preferred but notexclusive configuration of a containment band according to theinvention, illustrated as a non-limiting example with the aid of theenclosed drawing tables in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the containment band, subject of the presentinvention, S worn by a wearer, in a first embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the containment band of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the containment band, subject of the presentinvention, worn by a wearer, in a second embodiment thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the containment band of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the containment band subject of the presentinvention, worn by a wearer, in a third embodiment thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the containment band of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the enclosed figures, a preferred but not exclusiveconfiguration of a containment band according to the invention isillustrated. This is intended to be worn by a wearer underneath thenormal clothes and possibly on top of underwear.

The containment band, subject of the present invention, is attained inthree different preferred embodiments, illustrated in the enclosedfigures, in which respectively FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment ofthe band 1 configured for supporting the gluteus and the breast andmodeling the hips of the wearer, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodimentof the band 1 configured for supporting the breast and modeling the hipsof the wearer and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment configured forsupporting the gluteus of the wearer.

Advantageously, the band 1 in its second embodiment illustrated in theenclosed FIGS. 3 and 4 can be worn together with the band 1 in its thirdembodiment illustrated in the enclosed FIGS. 5 and 6, so as to supportthe breast, model the hips and simultaneously support the gluteus.

The containment band, indicated in its entirety with reference number 1in the enclosed figures, comprises a pair of strips 2, 3 having frontportions 4, 5 mutually crossing at a front crossing area 6 arranged inuse at the belly of the wearer and adapted to be worn at the front partof the chest.

Each front portion 4, 5 has a first section 7, 8. In accordance with thefirst embodiment illustrated in the enclosed FIGS. 1 and 2, the firstsection 7, 8 is adapted to wrap and support one of the breasts of thewearer.

Each front portion 4, 5 also has a second section 9, 10 adapted to bewrapped opposite the first section 7, 8 with respect to the sagittalplane X. In accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in theenclosed FIGS. 1 and 2, the second section 9, 10 is adapted to wraparound one of the hips of the wearer, in particular that opposite thebreast wrapped by the first section 7, 8.

The band 1, subject of the invention, defines the aforesaid sagittalplane X, which is substantially median with respect to the band itselfand defines a main extension direction. The sagittal plane X of the band1 substantially coincides with the sagittal plane of the wearer of theband 1.

Advantageously, the band 1, in use, is substantially mirrored withrespect to the aforesaid sagittal plane X.

Each strip 2, 3 also comprises a respective upper portion 11, 12, inorder to be connected to a respective rear portion 13, 14 adapted to bejoined at a rear joining zone 15 arranged in use at the back, as isvisible for example in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in the enclosedFIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portion 11, 12 of each strip 2, 3 is intendedto wrap around the scapula of the wearer.

In addition, in accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in theenclosed FIGS. 1 and 2 and with the second embodiment illustrated in theenclosed FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear portion 13, 14 of each strip 2, 3 inuse diagonally crosses the back in order to intersect the rear portionof the other strip, at the aforesaid rear joining zone 15.

Otherwise, in accordance with a third embodiment illustrated in theenclosed FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear portion 13, 14 of each strip 2, 3 islinearly joined with the rear portion 13, 14 of the other strip 2, 3,wrapping around the back of the wearer and substantially transverselycrossing the sagittal plane X.

Preferably, each strip 2, 3 will be a continuous body formed by thefront portion 4, 5, by the scapular portion 11, 12 and by the rearportion 13, 14.

The rear portions 13, 14, in accordance with the first and the secondembodiment, will be shaped in order to pass by an armpit and be fixed atone end with the other strip 2, 3 at the first section 7, 8.

The fixing at these points can be executed by means of seams, preferablyof flat type in order to increase the comfort and not be visible oncecovered by clothes.

According to a non-illustrated variant, instead of one or both seams,quick coupling/release means could be provided, such as buttons, clasps,zippers or the like, adapted to allow the local uncoupling of the strips2, 3 and facilitate the wearability.

In accordance with the first and with the third embodiment, respectivelyillustrated in the enclosed FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, 6, each strip 2, 3comprises a lower section 16, 17 adapted to wrap and support one of thegluteus at the opposite position to the corresponding scapular portion11, 12 with respect to the sagittal plane X of the wearer. The lowerlengths 16, 17 are advantageously shaped for wrapping the respectivegluteus and returning towards the front part and being mutually joinedat an inguinal section 18 common for the two strips 2, 3.

The inguinal section 18 will be adapted to be positioned, in use, on thebelly of the wearer in a substantially vertical and symmetrical positionwith respect to the sagittal plane thereof.

The inguinal section 18 will be fixed to one or both front portions 4, 5of the strips 2, 3 at the front crossing area 6.

The fixing can be attained both by means of seams, always of flat typefor comfort and for low visibility, and by means of quickcoupling/release means, such as buttons, clasps, zippers or the like,adapted to allow the local uncoupling of the strips 2, 3 and facilitatethe wearability.

The two front portions 4, 5 can be mutually superimposed at the frontcrossing area 6. Alternatively, the front portion 5 of one of the strips3 can be fixed to the front portion 4 of the other strip 2 by means of apair of seams made at the front crossing area 6 on opposite edges of thestrip 2.

In the latter case, one of the two strips 3 will be formed by twoelements, with a first element which will comprise the first section 8that is extended on top in order to wrap around one of the breasts, thescapular portion 12 and the rear portion 14 and will cross the armpitopposite the breast with respect to the sagittal plane, in order to besewn at both ends to the other strip 2.

The second element will comprise the second section 10 which wrapsaround the hip and the lower section 17 which wraps around the gluteusin order to then be fixed to the inguinal section 18.

According to an alternative configuration, the band 1 can be configuredas a single body that is suitably shaped in order to form across/intersection both at the front and back. Furthermore, even if theband 1 has been described as a stand-alone clothing article, it can alsobe associated, in a fixed or removable manner, to a suit/dress or othergarment to be worm on top, possible inserted inside such garment.

Regardless of the particular configuration, the strips 2, 3 willpreferably be made of an at least partially elasticized materialselected from the group comprising Lycra, jersey, cotton, silk, linen,polyester, nylon, polyamide and similar natural or synthetic materialsand will be suitably breathable.

Nevertheless, the material is non-limiting of the present invention andcan vary according to needs.

In the same manner, also the quantity of elasticizing component of thebase material can vary as a function of the needs.

The strips 2, 3 can have fixed or variable width along the longitudinalextension thereof in order to be shaped as a function of the specificanatomy of the wearer.

Their length can be fixed and modeled on the anatomy of the wearer orone or both of these strips can be adjustable, for example by means ofan adjustment system structured in a manner that is typical for thistype of garment, and preferably arranged at the scapular portions 11,12.

Not least, in order to prevent the rolling up of the edges, the strips2, 3 at their interior can integrate, along the edges themselves, aslat, preferably in soft polymer material, such as a silicone rubber orthe like.

The invention thus conceived therefore attains the pre-establishedobjects.

1. Wearable containment band, comprising a pair of strips (2, 3) havingfront portions (4, 5) mutually crossing at a front crossing area (6)arranged, in use, at the belly of a wearer and adapted to be worn at thefront part of the chest, each of said front portions (4, 5) comprising afirst section (7, 8) and a second section (9, 10) adapted to be wrappedopposite with respect to the sagittal plane (X) of the wearer and beingcontinuous with respective upper portions (11, 12) and respective rearportions (13, 14) adapted be joined together at a rear joining zone (15)arranged, in use, at the back of the wearer and each having one endfixed to the first section (7, 8) of the front portion (4, 5) of theother of said strips (2, 3).
 2. Band according to claim 1, wherein eachof said strips (2, 3) comprises a lower section (16, 17) adapted to wrapand support one of the gluteus at the opposite position to thecorresponding upper portion (11, 12) with respect to the sagittal plane(X) of the wearer.
 3. Band according to claim 2, wherein said lowerlengths (16, 17) are mutually joined at an inguinal section (18) commonfor said strips (2, 3) and adapted to be positioned in use on the bellyof the wearer in a substantially vertical and symmetrical position withrespect to the sagittal plane (X) of said wearer.
 4. Band according toclaim 3, wherein said inguinal section (18) is fixed to one or both saidfront portions (4, 5) of said strips (2, 3) at said front crossing area(6).
 5. Band according to claim 1, wherein each of said front portions(4, 5) comprises a first section (7, 8) adapted to wrap and support oneof the breasts of the wearer.
 6. Band according to claim 5, wherein saidupper portions (11, 12) are intended to wrap around the scapulas of thewearer.
 7. Band according to claim 6, wherein said rear portions areconfigured in order to be joined at a rear zone, forming a rear cross.8. Band according to claim 1, wherein said upper portions (11, 12) areintended to wrap around the hips of the wearer and each of said strips(2, 3) comprises a lower section (16, 17) adapted to wrap and supportone of the gluteus at the opposite position to the corresponding upperportion (11, 12) with respect to the sagittal plane of the wearer. 9.Band according to claim 4, wherein the inguinal section (18) is fixed toone or both said front portions (4, 5) by means of quickcoupling/release means.
 10. Band according to claim 1, wherein the frontportion (5) of one of said strips (3) is fixed to the front portion (4)of the other of said strips (2) by means of a pair of seams at saidfront crossing area (6).
 11. Band according to claim 1, wherein saidrear portions (13, 14) are fixed by means of seams to said firstsections (7, 8) of said front portions (4, 5).
 12. Band according toclaim 1, wherein said one or both strips (2, 3) have adjustable length,preferably at the respective scapular portions (11, 12).
 13. Bandaccording to claim 1, wherein said strips (2, 3) each comprise a slat,preferably made of soft polymer material, such as a silicone rubber orthe like, which is at least partially extended along the respectiveedges.
 14. Band according to claim 1, wherein said strips (2, 3) aremade of an at least partially elasticized material selected from thegroup comprising Lycra, jersey, cotton, silk, linen, polyester, nylon,polyamide and similar natural or synthetic materials.